Have you tried meditation?
Even five minutes can be helpful.
Meditation is an amazing tool for anyone to connect with their inner selves and a way to find some quiet moments each day to renew and allow their mind to rest.
Running, as we all know is physical. It is helpful for our minds, as it works our body and helps to keep us fit. Meditation is for the mind. According to William Glasser, M.D., running is the easiest way to physically find a positive addiction. Meditation is the most popular way.
Do you remember the Transcendental Meditation or TM movement from the 60’s? Maharishi Mahesh Yogi started the movement and brought it to the masses. Now, meditation is more mainstream, a respected practice and accessible to everyone.
Postive Addiction
In his book, Positive Addiction, Glasser interviews, and shares how people feel after they meditate. They discuss how meditation has changed their life. Their life becomes more clear. Connections with others became easier.
Relationships improved. Their confidence in themselves begins to grow.
With meditation, we have a regular time each day to notice our breath as we accept what goes on in our head in a non-critical way. Many people meditate in the morning right after they get up. Some prefer to meditate after a physical activity, or later in the day.
When you meditate, you gain more access to your brain. It is hard to achieve the same effect if you do not take the time to notice your breath.
Physical relaxation occurs because as Glasser points out any mental strength we have is reflected in physical relaxation. One person describes her meditation practice as a “typical relaxed, non-self-critical flow of ideas which come and go effortlessly…”
Other descriptions of meditation are that it is a tremendously unique and very personal experience. It’s almost sacred, but not religious at all. More energy, more determination, and enjoyment of every moment are other words to describe the experience.
The large and clear thinking was mentioned. The experience felt large. The person who practiced meditation felt he was without his body. He knew he was inside it, but did not feel it. It was a glimpse of total limitlessness.
Others mentioned that they get the same relaxed feeling as when they are in a beautiful natural setting. Glass calls this the pleasant, relaxing, non-self-critical pre-PA state.
When the meditators missed their practice, they felt a mild discomfort. They had a feeling of missing something valuable, a little tension or guilt. It’s the same sort of feeling as not brushing your teeth, or bathing, a habit that you are used to.
Some of the meditators that Glasser questioned were heavy to moderate drug users. They explained that when the drug experience wears off, the more they used, the less effect the drug had. The difference with meditation is that the experiences were cumulative. It carried over into their daily life, even after they had forgotten about their practice.
The group, in general, reported that they had a greatly diminished use of alcohol. Many have stopped drinking, smoking and using drugs of any kind.
Meditation helps you to gain strength It has health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and pulse rate. Meditation can strengthen the immune system, as well as lift your mood.
I’m fairly new to meditation, having started practicing after taking yoga for several years. What I love about meditation is the calm, relaxed feeling I have. Letting everything just be for a period of time has been helpful.
The idea is to let your thoughts just float by. Do not attach yourself to any of them. Let go of judgment.
Sit and notice your breath. Of course, on occasion, I get antsy. I think other people do as well from time to time.
The key is to keep at it. You will then develop your practice. It will become part of your life.
I believe meditation is helpful to all of us. It allows us to access those inner thoughts that we may not give ourselves time to get to during a busy day.
Here are ten quotes that explain the benefit of meditation.
If you are looking for a more peaceful existence, give meditation a try. You may find that you will feel the serenity you are seeking.
Are you interested in adding meditation to your life? How has meditation helped you? Join the discussion and let us know in comments.
